Tinubu called to congratulate me on Osun victory, I expect Oyebamiji to do same — Adeleke

The re-elected Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said President Bola Tinubu called to congratulate him after he won Saturday’s governorship election, adding that he expects his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, to do the same.

Mr Adeleke described his re-election as a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State, while thanking the president for supporting the democratic process.

Speaking after the announcement of the election results, the governor said Mr Tinubu personally called to congratulate him.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank Mr President. Mr President has called me and congratulated me. Thank you, Mr President, for making sure democracy lives on because you fought for it,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Mr Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, the winner after he polled 511,067 votes across the state.

His closest challenger, Mr Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, scored 444,815 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

Mr Adeleke said he attributed his victory to the people’s appreciation of his administration’s performance, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare and security.

“I thank God Almighty for this victory. It’s a victory for democracy. Victory for Osun election.”

The governor said the result represented the people’s endorsement of the projects and programmes implemented by his administration across the state.

“The victory is a way Osun people are repaying me for the infrastructural developments, health, security and other things I have delivered for my people,” he added.

Mr Adeleke said the election should not be viewed simply as a contest that produced winners and losers, stressing that there was “no victor, no vanquished.”

He expressed hope that Mr Oyebamiji would accept the result and personally congratulate him.

“It’s no victor, no vanquished. I am expecting the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call me and congratulate me,” Mr Adeleke said.

The governor’s victory grants him another four-year term after he first won the governorship in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.